Nn Students `Not Getting Results'

Evaluators: Schools 'Alive' But Failing

December 03, 1992|By RONNIE CROCKER Daily Press

Newport News students are underachieving academically despite the wide array of sound educational programs that are offered in the city's public schools, suggests an exhaustive educational assessment now under way.

That may be a signal that the city has failed to commit enough funds for a focused attack on its educational problems, or that administrators are doing a poor job of using the resources they have, evaluators said.

Fenwick W. English, a University of Kentucky education professor who is directing the evaluation, said Wednesday that Newport News schools stack up well against other districts he has visited. He said they operate smoothly and teachers are innovative and set high standards for how well their students should perform.

But, as a whole, students don't beat the national averages on standardized achievement tests.

``The schools are better than their test scores,'' said English. ``The schools are vibrant, they're alive. But they're not getting the results you would expect.''

English and seven other auditors from around the nation are spending this week touring schools in Newport News, interviewing teachers and administrators, and poring over mounds of test scores, curriculum reports and financial data. In five to six weeks, they will release a detailed evaluation of how well the school system is accomplishing its stated mission of educating all students.

The only physical problem the group has encountered has been crowding in some schools. English cited one reading teacher who works in a renovated custodian's closet.

A less obvious problem, he said, is that some educators expect less of minority and low-income students - who traditionally have scored worse on standardized tests - than they do of white, wealthier students. He said this ``subtle but significant attitude'' is common in systems that were ordered by the courts to end racial segregation.

``We've found some of that in some quarters of Newport News,'' he said.

English applauded school Superintendent Eric J. Smith for doing something that previous administrations did not do: Going public with the data that show these stark differences. English said some teachers were surprised by the findings.

Part of the reason that Newport News scores, overall, are only average may be inadequate funding by the City Council. For instance, English noted that there is no one specifically charged with overseeing the social studies programs in the schools. Other major curriculum areas have coordinators to develop programs and plan staff development.

School Board member Robert R. Ulrich said the social studies position was not filled when it became vacant because of drastic budget cuts two years ago. The position was left vacant this year because the city refused to increase local funding of the school system.

Regardless, English said the school system may not be directing its resources as well as it could. He cited a one-on-one reading program that, while extremely costly, has been proven to be effective - both in Newport News and nationwide. The school system may be better off expanding that program and making sure it is in place in the schools where it is needed most.

``If I had a major infection and you gave me a little bit of penicillin, I might be doing better,'' he said. ``But I'm still dying.''